The way of Christ is a way of resurrection — a way of hope, joy, and new life by the Holy Spirit’s power and to the Father’s glory. This is what Christianity is all about! This is what God calls us, as Christians, to be all about as we bear witness to the continual inbreaking work of God in this wounded and weary world. I like the way the great missionary Lesslie Newbigin said it: “I am neither an optimist nor a pessimist. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.”
To help us live this truth together, I will soon begin preaching through the “Six Great Ends of the Church.” For generations, we Presbyterians have summarized our reason for existence with these purpose statements, found in our Book of Order. The Six Great Ends are:
The Proclamation of the Gospel for the Salvation of Humankind
The Shelter, Nurture, and Spiritual Fellowship of the Children of God
The Maintenance of Divine Worship
The Preservation of the Truth
The Promotion of Social Righteousness
The Exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the World
While I am not usually one to cite the Book of Order on Sunday mornings (as it doesn’t often make for the most engaging reading), I do find these statements to be helpful and faithful descriptions of the body of Christ. Come and study them with us. Join us for worship and life together either in-person or online. Let’s rise up, remember, and rejoice in the good news of the gospel: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed.
Sermon Scriptures*
4/18/2021 - 1 Peter 2:4-10 (Introduction)
4/25/2021 - Romans 10:1-15 (First great end)
5/02/2021 - 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 (Second great end)
5/09/2021 - Hebrews 9:1-14 (Third great end)
5/16/2021 - 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 (Fourth great end)
5/23/2021 - Isaiah 58:1-11 and/or James 1:19-27 (Fifth great end)
5/30/2021 - Philippians 2:5-11 or Revelation 21:1-5 (Sixth great end)
Yours in Christ,
Blake
*This list is always subject to change!